Dr Roy Berko, one of Cleveland’s more thorough and insightful theater reviewers, opens his recent review of Proof with, “What happens when you combine a perfectly perceived script, which tells a meaningful story, and a masterfully staged show? You get, Lakeland Theatre’s Proof.”

Berko’s right. The play is a perfect storm of excellence.

The script, written by David Auburn, won a Pulitzer Prize.

The cast includes some of the most capable actors in the Cleveland area.

Mitchell Fields appears as Robert, a brilliant professor of mathematics who’s experiencing an increasingly severe cognitive decline as he ages.

Liz Conway plays the part of the professor’s youngest daughter, Catherine, who shares her father’s mathematical genius and fears she may also have inherited his mental imbalance. Liz appeared at Lakeland as Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, Billie Dawn in Born Yesterday and as Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Laurel Hoffman makes her debut at Lakeland as she plays the part of Claire, Catherine’s older sister who is distant both physically and emotionally from her family.

Aaron Elersich appears as Hal, a former student of the professor who feels a growing attraction for Catherine. Aaron appeared at Lakeland as the Bailiff in Sweeney Todd, the Narrator in Assassins and as the Sheriff in Anyone Can Whistle.

The director is Dr Martin Friedman. That the Lakeland stage is a sought-after venue by the finest actors in the area is a tribute to Freidman’s excellence in the directing arena.